Robert Lowell Terrell, Sr., 86, passed away peacefully on Feb. 4, 2020, surrounded by his loved ones.
Robert was born on July 26, 1933, in Atlanta, Georgia, to parents Eleanor Pace Terrell and Lowell S. Terrell. Robert is preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 52 years, June Youmans Terrell.
Robert is survived by his four children and their families, daughter Katherine and son-in-law George Maynard, grandson Kieran Maynard, and wife Joy Li He and great-grandson Anson, grandson Pace Maynard and Julie Hutchins, and grandson Jones Maynard; daughter Ellen and son-in-law Steve Case, grandson Terrell Case and Alicia Lucas, granddaughter McKinley Walden and husband James, great-grandson Case and great-granddaughter Charlotte June; son Lowell and wife Heather, grandson Joshua Terrell and wife Leah; and daughter Laura and son-in-law Paul Hance, granddaughter Maggie Hance and husband Drew Nolley, granddaughter Ansley Hance, and grandson Wes Hance. He is also survived by his sisters Barbara McDonald (Tommy) and Mary McAlister, his brother Bill Terrell (Sue), and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Robert grew up south of Atlanta, Georgia, graduating from Georgia Tech with a degree in textile engineering in 1954. He served in the Navy for two years while completing Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. While in the Navy, Robert married June Youmans of Hapeville, Georgia, and they lived briefly in Rhode Island and then in Atlanta while Robert finished graduate school at Georgia Tech with a degree in management. In 1958 Robert and June moved to Kingsport, Tennessee, with newborn Katherine for Robert to work at Tennessee Eastman Company where they lived for 18 years before moving to Batesville, Arkansas, in 1976, for Robert to work at Arkansas Eastman Company. Ellen, Lowell, and Laura were born in Kingsport.
Growing up, Robert was a member of the Hapeville Presbyterian Church, then he belonged to Bethel Presbyterian Church in Kingsport, and while in Batesville was a long time member of the First Presbyterian Church. He sang in church choirs, lending his beautiful tenor voice, served as deacon and elder, and was a delegate to the Arkansas Presbytery. He loved music and sang for many years in the Kingsport Symphony Chorus.
Robert enjoyed spending time with his family in Montreat, North Carolina, traveling with family, hiking, sailing, and reading his Nook. In his later years, he especially enjoyed time and travels with his special friend, Ann Gaultney, with whom he attended first grade through high school.
The family would like to thank the management and staff of Woodcrest Assisted Living, in Batesville, Arkansas, for the comfort and loving care they gave Robert for his last year.
A memorial service for Robert Terrell will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Leslie Roper officiating. The family will gather after the service for visitation in the church parlor.
Arrangements were entrusted to Willis Funeral Service and the University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock, Arkansas, to which Robert has donated his body.
In place of flowers please make donations to the First Presbyterian Church, 775 East Boswell Street, Batesville, Arkansas 72501. Email: firstpresbatesville@gmail.com.
